How to properly fill a gap between head unit and pocket underneath?

[jwyfk]

I just had a Pioneer head unit installed. The shop had ordered a Metra kit for my car in advance, and neither one of us liked it. It just seemed cheap, and wouldn't allow me to retain the stock pocket. So, he ended up doing what you see in the pictures, including the fingerprints. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif I'm happy with it, except for the gap between the radio and pocket. He used what was available on hand to fill the gap, but as you can see, it doesn't look good. I've been looking all over the place to find something to fill that gap and make the install look more clean. I'd really appreciate any suggestions.

Also, the bottom part of that Pioneer trim ring rattles like crazy. That's what that masking tape is for. Any ideas for that would be helpful, too. Thank you.

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[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

That looks like ****. I'm sorry but as an installer I'd be embarassed to show off the work that I did to a customer.

I would check Metra Online | Welcome to Metra Auto Parts Online Warehouse or

Dash Kits | Dash Kit by Scosche | by Scosche

I just redid my install HU kit and looks fabulous!! Got the trim ring earlier this week and looks even better.

I can't believe as an installer he was unable to help you. I wouldn't go back to that shop. These shops wonder why they're having a hard time staying in business with crap work like that poor customer service and worst of all, the internet has killed many businesses.

If your able to ge ahold of some tools and are mechanically inclined and work with your hands, I suggest installing yourself.

 

[jwyfk]

That looks like ****. I'm sorry but as an installer I'd be embarassed to show off the work that I did to a customer.

It does look like crap, and that's why I'm here for advice. I don't like the Metra kit for my car, because it shrinks the pocket:

http://www.amazon.com/Metra-99-7896-HONDA-CIVIC-POCKET/dp/B0002BEYSQ

What about a universal kit like these ones?

Picture 1 of 3 for American International HON-K828

Picture 1 of 2 for Metra 99-7892

Picture 1 of 4 for Metra 99-7898

They all seem so cheap. Isn't there a kit with OEM quality? The finish on the American International kit seems better in the picture, but it's impossible to tell.

 

[BoomTaco64]

the american international and the metra 99-7898 are basically the same kit. use one of them. those are standard kits for a honda civic.

 

[ISLANDPRIDE684]

Try this website

BestKits

 

[the727kid 10+ year member]

That looks like ****. I'm sorry but as an installer I'd be embarassed to show off the work that I did to a customer.
I would check Metra Online | Welcome to Metra Auto Parts Online Warehouse or

Dash Kits | Dash Kit by Scosche | by Scosche

I just redid my install HU kit and looks fabulous!! Got the trim ring earlier this week and looks even better.

I can't believe as an installer he was unable to help you. I wouldn't go back to that shop. These shops wonder why they're having a hard time staying in business with crap work like that poor customer service and worst of all, the internet has killed many businesses.

If your able to ge ahold of some tools and are mechanically inclined and work with your hands, I suggest installing yourself.

Someone clearly has never installed professionally. The customer (OP) did not want the Metra dash kit, without fabbing up something (extra $) he provided what the OP wanted without extra cost. You don't know if it was poor customer service or he simply did as the OP wanted and stayed within budget. For all we know the installer offered solutions but they were not viable for the OP. It happens, but sometimes you have to do what the customer wants even if you don't think it looks good.

To the OP: Either go with one of the designed kits, or have something fiberglassed, those are the two proper ways to get this fixed. You can try some black felt as a cheap fix.

 

[jwyfk]

the american international and the metra 99-7898 are basically the same kit. use one of them. those are standard kits for a honda civic.

Thank you. Most of these universal kits work for all Hondas, but the one I see recommended most for Integras and other Hondas, the 99-7892 (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-99-7892-Honda-90-98-Acura/dp/B0002BEY22), doesn't show my 99-00 Civic in the list of compatible vehicles. The 7898 would be fine, but the pocket is divided in the center. I need to fit my Wideband gauge on the left, as shown in the picture above. Would the 7892 work? I keep reading that Metra is the best.

Try this website
BestKits

Thank you, but they're expensive. It looks like they're just selling American International kits.

Someone clearly has never installed professionally. The customer (OP) did not want the Metra dash kit, without fabbing up something (extra $) he provided what the OP wanted without extra cost. You don't know if it was poor customer service or he simply did as the OP wanted and stayed within budget. For all we know the installer offered solutions but they were not viable for the OP. It happens, but sometimes you have to do what the customer wants even if you don't think it looks good.
To the OP: Either go with one of the designed kits, or have something fiberglassed, those are the two proper ways to get this fixed. You can try some black felt as a cheap fix.

What happened was, I had the wideband O2 sensor and a boost controller in the pocket before I bought the Pioneer. Since I was removing the boost controller, I bought a brand new Honda pocket, so that he could cut a hole on the left for the wideband. They ordered the correct kit for my car, but as you can see in the Amazon link above, it's really strange and has a small round hole for the pocket. He pointed this out to me and suggested not going with the kit they ordered. At the time, I didn't even know about these universal kits with the standard size pocket. I'm not a difficult customer, and not looking to blame anybody. I'm here looking for solutions to work out on my own, since I don't like the way it looks now. Would you be happy with the way it looks with the adhesive lined rubber showing in the sunlight between the radio and pocket?

 

[BoomTaco64]

get the metra kit. they generally make the best install kits on the market. some are better than others. i have used the metra kit for the last 16 years with no issues. may need to do some small mods for the gauge to fit but it will look good

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

+1 on the metra kit, find a local shop who has worked on your car, tell them you're upset about the **** quality headunit install, and see if their kit is what you want.

unfortunately headunit kits are the **** it up and pay kind of propriety product, buddy who used to work for metra (their main warehouse is actually here in holly hill) and they have a huge vault with all the propriety molds so im gonna assume they're patented thoroughly

 

[the727kid 10+ year member]

I wasn't trying to discredit you by any means. It is a one-off scenario that requires some outside of the box thinking. Does the wideband not fit in the aftermarket pocket? I don't think the universal pocket even with the largest trim piece will fix the gap. I could be wrong, but in my experience they only fit perfect when they are called for. (In these cases they usually don't have an actual kit).

The black felt trick could work and it would hide any reflections. Is it cheap? Yes, but most scenarios are going to cost a lot more to get it how I would want it. Have you thought about other places to mount your sensor?

If it was my install, I would of used the Metra Kit and discussed alternative solutions to mount your Sensor.

 

[Kai Winters 10+ year member]

If I were using the kit already installed but trying to make the O2 sensor a bit more "installed" and attractive I would get a piece of plastic, cut it to fit the opening of the pocket, locate the sensor where I wanted it in said pocket by laying it face down on the back of the plastic "face" piece and cut out the opening for the sensor. I'd mount the sensor and use silicon to hold it in place...it is just a display...I'd mount four bits of plastic 90 degree angle pieces...two on top, two bottom...where the plastic "face" will mate with the outer surface of the pocket. Paint, finish, etc. the plastic "face" to match the trim or cover it with whatever you'd like...a bit of super glue on each of the mounting angle pieces and gently push the face piece to sit on the angle pieces...That should give you a clean look, not cost much nor take too much time.

If you can imagine it you can probably make it happen with a bit of patience.

Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[ISLANDPRIDE684]

Take some of this

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0076LAVFK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1459448558&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=plastic+filler&dpPl=1&dpID=41LeYkjpdvL&ref=plSrch

And one of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0007WRQL2/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1459448649&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=abs+plastic&dpPl=1&dpID=41Tis8wtZ3L&ref=plSrch

And get to fabricating....

 

[jwyfk]

get the metra kit. they generally make the best install kits on the market. some are better than others. i have used the metra kit for the last 16 years with no issues. may need to do some small mods for the gauge to fit but it will look good

+1 on the metra kit, find a local shop who has worked on your car, tell them you're upset about the **** quality headunit install, and see if their kit is what you want.
unfortunately headunit kits are the **** it up and pay kind of propriety product, buddy who used to work for metra (their main warehouse is actually here in holly hill) and they have a huge vault with all the propriety molds so im gonna assume they're patented thoroughly

That's what I'd like to get, but my question is, since most of the universal Honda Metra kits work for all Integras and Civics, why isn't this one listed for 99-00 Civics? This is the one I like the most. Many people use it for Integras. Should I order it?

http://www.amazon.com/Metra-99-7892-Honda-90-98-Acura/dp/B0002BEY22

I wasn't trying to discredit you by any means. It is a one-off scenario that requires some outside of the box thinking. Does the wideband not fit in the aftermarket pocket? I don't think the universal pocket even with the largest trim piece will fix the gap. I could be wrong, but in my experience they only fit perfect when they are called for. (In these cases they usually don't have an actual kit).
The black felt trick could work and it would hide any reflections. Is it cheap? Yes, but most scenarios are going to cost a lot more to get it how I would want it. Have you thought about other places to mount your sensor?

If it was my install, I would of used the Metra Kit and discussed alternative solutions to mount your Sensor.

I understand. I just wanted to explain, that's all. I'd like to get the Metra kit I linked above, but I need to make sure it will work.

If I were using the kit already installed but trying to make the O2 sensor a bit more "installed" and attractive I would get a piece of plastic, cut it to fit the opening of the pocket, locate the sensor where I wanted it in said pocket by laying it face down on the back of the plastic "face" piece and cut out the opening for the sensor. I'd mount the sensor and use silicon to hold it in place...it is just a display...I'd mount four bits of plastic 90 degree angle pieces...two on top, two bottom...where the plastic "face" will mate with the outer surface of the pocket. Paint, finish, etc. the plastic "face" to match the trim or cover it with whatever you'd like...a bit of super glue on each of the mounting angle pieces and gently push the face piece to sit on the angle pieces...That should give you a clean look, not cost much nor take too much time.
If you can imagine it you can probably make it happen with a bit of patience.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Take some of this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0076LAVFK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1459448558&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=plastic+filler&dpPl=1&dpID=41LeYkjpdvL&ref=plSrch

And one of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0007WRQL2/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1459448649&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=abs+plastic&dpPl=1&dpID=41Tis8wtZ3L&ref=plSrch

And get to fabricating....

Thanks for the suggestions, but for now, I'm just going to cut a hole in the pocket and use double sided tape to hold it down. I plan to get an oil temperature gauge in the future, so I need to keep some space on the right.

 

[BoomTaco64]

you have to get the multikit. honk-828 or the metra version that has all the tabs. the 99-7892 does not have all the tabs needed. get the universal honda version that has all the tabs. 99-7898 should be the correct one.

 

[jwyfk]

you have to get the multikit. honk-828 or the metra version that has all the tabs. the 99-7892 does not have all the tabs needed. get the universal honda version that has all the tabs. 99-7898 should be the correct one.

That's what I was afraid of. I wouldn't mind the 99-7898, but look how strange the pocket is:

Amazon.com: Metra 99-7898 Dash Kit For Honda Multikit88-Up: Car Electronics

It's split in two. Why are all the dash kits for my car so odd? I know Metra is supposed to be the best, but how much worse is the HON-K828? It doesn't look bad in the pictures, but reviews on Crutchfield aren't so great.